4 Common Foot Problems and Their Solutions

Monday, 11 June 2018

We squeeze them in tight shoes for hours on end, let them carry us around all day long, and forget they even exist until they're no longer able to meet our high demands. Our feet deserve better than that, so no wonder they act out in sometimes predictable, and other times quite unpredictable ways.

If your feet have been causing you problems, don't think you're alone. Sadly, there are hundreds of thousands of people around the world going through the exact same agony you seem to be feeling right now. The good news is, this makes finding a tried and true solution that much easier, and this short article on the 4 Common Foot Problems and Their Solutions is here to help you find out what your symptoms mean and what you can do about them.

Corns and Calluses

Corns are usually painless

Though not the same condition, corns and calluses are both caused by friction and pressure when the bony parts of your feet rub against your shoes, so treating one usually helps you get rid of or prevent the other one as well. Corns typically occur at the bottom of the feet and the sides of toes, and can in some cases become quite painful. Calluses, on the other hand, are thickenings of the outermost layer of the skin, and are completely painless.

Solution: Soften and Cushion

Most corns and calluses gradually disappear when the friction or pressure stops, which means all you have to do is either replace your footwear, or opt for one of the many over-the-counter plasters that protect your toes from pressure and pain. Depending on the area of your corn or callus, you can either choose Silipos Full Gel Toe Caps and Pedag Toe Strips for Corns, or Pro11 Women's Gel Spots that can be used on any area of the foot where extra cushioning is needed.

While these solutions help you get rid of hardened skin in the long run, neither of them offers instant relief. The Med Salve for Cracked Skin is a balm made from a combination of skin-friendly lipids and natural essential oils that can help the skin regain its natural elasticity and resilience.

Athlete's Foot

Athlete's foot can cause peeling of the skin

In spite of its name, athlete's foot is a common condition that is by no means limited to athletes, though it is true that it usually appears after you make contact with fungus, most frequently in wet environments, such as locker rooms, public showers and swimming pools. Caused by a fungal infection that most often starts between the forth and the fifth toes, athlete's foot causes itching, cracking, blistering and peeling of the skin, and can sometimes be quite difficult to get rid of.

Solution: Keep Clean and Dry

Warm and damp places, such as your shoes, are the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and fungus, so it's important to keep your feet clean and dry in order to get rid of athlete's foot. Anti-fungal treatments in forms of sprays, powders and lotions to apply to your feet are readily available, and can do wonders in helping you fight athlete's foot. We recommend using the Disinfectant Foot Powder, which prevents foot odour, sweating and infections by absorbing sweat to keep your feet dry, and promote healing of damaged skin.

Fungal Nail Infections

Nail fungus is difficult to get rid of

Unlike athlete's foot, fungal nail infections are limited to your toenails, and may cause your nail to discolour, thicken and even crumble at the edges. The symptoms of nail fungus usually develop slowly, but you can easily recognise the condition if your nails are thickened, whitish to yellow-brown, brittle or crumbly, distorted in shape, or smelling slightly foul. Fungal nail infections can start from athlete's foot and spread from one nail to another, as the condition is extremely contagious.

Solution: Anti-Fungal Treatments

Due to their stubborn and highly contagious nature, nail fungus can only be treated with anti-fungal products. If your condition is severe, and you've been suffering from it for a longer period of time, we recommend visiting your GP, who can prescribe proper anti-fungal medication.

If, however, you've only started noticing the symptoms, most over-the-counter creams, gels and lacquers should do the trick. For preventing fungal nail infections, we suggest giving the Fusskraft Blue Foot Cream for Dry and Rough Skin a try, as it contains antiseptics that prevent infections and itching that can help to keep your feet free from bacteria.

Ingrown Toenails

You can treat ingrown toenails at home

Ingrown toenails have a range of causes, from wearing ill-fitting shoes to improper trimming and even genetics, so most likely this is a problem you've experienced at least once in your life. Simply put, an ingrown toenail occurs when the nail starts to grow into the nail groove, which usually causes severe pain and discomfort, as well as redness, swelling or drainage from the toe. Unlike the above-mentioned conditions, however, ingrown toenails are a bit easier to get rid of on your own.

Solution: Soften, Trim and Protect

More often than not, you'll be able to get rid of an ingrown toenail in the comfort of your own home. The first step towards complete recovery includes keeping your feet clean and dry to prevent any possible infection. The Med Nail Softener can help you prevent toenails from growing inwards, as well as softening the cuticles and skin to make trimming an ingrown nail easier.

Once you soften the surrounding skin either with the help of a nail softener, or a nice foot soak, trim the toenail straight across the tip without digging into the corners. Then carefully roll back the overgrown skin by slipping a small piece of cotton to lift the edge up from the skin. To further speed up the recovery and protect your recuperating toenail, you can even choose to use a Toe Cap.

If your feet are cramped in closed shoes most of the day, chances are you're more than familiar with at least one of these conditions. The solution is simple to recognise your symptoms and find the right treatment for your problem, and with our broad range of products for corns, calluses, athlete's foot, and ingrown toenails, you're bound to do so right here at ShoeInsoles.co.uk.

Have you experienced any of these conditions? Please let us know in the comments, or find us on Twitter and Facebook!